How to become an EMT: education, training and the work itself.
The typical entry path BLS lists for the occupation, how much preparation O*NET says it takes, and what the work involves.
- Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation; the entry path shown is BLS's typical one.
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry-level education for emergency medical technicians in the United States (Employment Projections, 2025–35). O*NET's survey estimates of required education for emergency medical technicians are too imprecise to name a most common level. O*NET places the job in Job Zone 3 of 5 (medium preparation, preliminary). O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation.
Data Government data groups this job as Emergency Medical Technicians (O*NET-SOC 29-2042.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.
Data O*NET has published only part of its profile for this occupation: tasks, tools and technology, related occupations and a preliminary Job Zone. Its skills, knowledge, work activities and education and training survey data are not yet published (O*NET: “Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile”), so this page shows no skills ratings and no survey shares.
What BLS lists for emergency medical technicians
According to BLS 2025–35 projections data, emergency medical technicians in the United States typically need no work experience in a related occupation to enter the occupation.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Once hired, emergency medical technicians in the United States typically need no on-the-job training to become fully competent, according to BLS 2025–35 projections data.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Steps to becoming an EMT
Data Steps 1 to 3 are BLS Employment Projections data; tools are O*NET; the last step is advice.
- EducationPlan for a postsecondary nondegree award
BLS typical entry-level education, 2025–35 projections. O*NET's survey estimates for this job are too imprecise to name a most common level.
- TrainingExpect no on-the-job training
BLS's typical on-the-job training to become competent in the occupation.
- ExperienceRelated experience
BLS: no work experience in a related occupation is typical.
- ToolsLearn the tools
MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software (examples O*NET reports for the occupation).
- CredentialsCheck licensing where you live
Many occupations need a state license or certification. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your state's licensing board.
O*NET Job Zone 3 of 5 (preliminary): Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
What EMTs do
Data Tasks O*NET lists for the occupation, in O*NET's order. O*NET has not yet published importance ratings for them, so they are not ranked.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- Comfort and reassure patients.
- Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
Data Pay once you are in the job: the BLS median is $44,470; the lowest-paid quarter earn $37,960 or less. See the full EMT salary data.
How this page is built
Typical entry-level education, related work experience and on-the-job training are BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 categories for the occupation (BLS: Emergency medical technicians). The Job Zone (preliminary), task statements and tools come from O*NET 31.0, which has not yet published this occupation's education, experience or training survey data.
- Licensing rules in your state.
- Requirements at a specific employer.
- How long the path will take you personally.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Occupational projections, 2025–35 (released Aug 27, 2026; occupation.xlsx, Tables 1.2 and 1.10; retrieved Oct 25, 2026). Definitions.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).
How TryHired builds this data: sources, methods and downloads. Spotted an error? Report a correction.